10 Ways to Make Your Kids Playroom Magical!

Posted on October 19, 2018

It’s every kid’s dream to have a fantastical playroom of their own. It can be wonderful space to explore, play and run wild is perfect for building up confidence and nurturing creativity. And let’s not forget the extra value: it can help keep the rest of your house clear of toys, clutter and mess.

If you have space in your home, why not build a playroom for your little one or brood? Explore this great infographic that the folks at The Rugseller made to get you started.

From storage with a twist to imaginative décor to inspire your kids’ creativity and furniture with room for all the toys, this infographic will give you some pointers as to how you can design your own playroom:

Creating a Cool Kids Playroom Infographic by The Rug Seller

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Create a Space Where Homework Gets DONE! {7 Tips}

Posted on October 19, 2018

Now that most school systems are in full swing, it’s also the the perfect time to get your student’s homework station ready to go for the new school year.

Lorena Canals, maker of all natural, hypo-allergenic, functional and super stylish machine-washable rugs for bedrooms, playrooms, and beyond, offered some awesome tips for creating a great workstation for your child:

1. Create a homework routine – kids in the first through third grade perform best when they know exactly what is expected. Have a specific place for storing backpacks and times for doing homework. Use these formative years to set up good study habits. Kids will raise their performance to the bar parents set.

2. Utilize a homework notebook – track homework assignments in a notebook that goes back and forth between home and school each day. Use this notebook to communicate with your child’s teachers to address issues with homework, notes that need signed, or praises for a job well done.

3. Stock-up on Homework Essentials—when you’re out purchasing your kids’ school supplies, pick-up extras to keep at their homework station/desk. Include items like pencils, highlighters, scissors, ruler, stapler, post-it notes, paper clips, colored pencils, markers, timer, loose notebook paper, and notebooks. Store supplies, aside from the paper, in Mason jars or a desk organizer.

4. Hang a White Board for Important Reminders—once kids go back to school, fall becomes a busy time with homework assignments, projects, and after school extra-curricular activities. Help your kids stay on track with a place to jot down notes with due dates. Use painters tape to create a giant calendar to post each day’s activities and homework assignments.

5. Use Magazine Files for Organizing Projects—instead of a pile of papers stacked on the kitchen table, use magazine files for organizing the important stuff. Label the files with “slips/homework to sign” or “homework to complete.” A file system helps to eliminate lost permission slips and homework. Encourage your kids to empty their backpack folders as soon as they get home and file or toss papers right away to keep the mess away.

6. Invest in a Good Chair & Lamp—help make your kids’ homework space one that is conducive to studying. This can easily be done with a simple desk, ergonomic chair, and a good lamp so your kids have plenty of light making it less of a strain on their eyes. Insure the space is free from distractions do your kids can concentrate on homework activities.

7. Add Some Colorful Artwork—if your child’s designed homework spot is decorated in their own personal style they’re more likely to spend more time there doing homework. Create a wall of empty frames that can hold a smaller piece of original art. As your child starts bring home art projects, feature them inside the frames on the wall. Switch their artwork out monthly and store old projects away. Surrounding themselves with a collection of their personal work will enhance creativity that will flow into their writing assignments too.

Good luck!

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7 Baby Napping Tips New Moms Need To Know

Posted on October 18, 2018

Napping seems like such an ordinary thing, but to parents of young children it is a constant concern and often a source of anxiety. We know that getting the maximum amount of sleep possible is good for a child, yet the child is obviously not aware of this, and many seem to naturally resist being put down for naps. Some babies fuss, wake up frequently, and are unpredictable in when and how they like to nap. These are all simple facts of being a parent. And while you cannot stop nap troubles entirely, what you can do is minimize the difficulties.

1. Babies cannot nap too much. Many parents, especially those on their first child, worry that their babies are napping too much, and they make an effort not to overdo it. But there are a few points to keep in mind here. First, it is perfectly acceptable for babies to sleep anywhere from 14 to 20 hours a day, and it is normal for them to get tired one to two hours after waking up, even if the previous nap was a good one. And do not worry about daytime naps ruining nighttime sleep. It does not work that way with babies. In fact, good napping during the day often leads to less fussiness at night, which makes a good night’s sleep easier.

Also keep in mind that, again, the more sleep your baby gets, the better. Crucial development happens during those naps. So do not feel bad about encouraging your baby to sleep as much as possible. It does not mean you are selfish or that you do not enjoy your baby’s company. It is just good parenting. And yes, there is nothing wrong with enjoying the break while your baby sleeps.

2. Monitor your baby’s sleep. Babies’ sleep patterns can fluctuate wildly from day to day, but if you keep track of how often and how long your baby naps, you may begin to notice a pattern emerging. For instance, one common pattern for babies aged three to six months is to nap for an hour or two, eat, play for an hour and go back to sleep. In this pattern, the day is roughly divided into three-hour chunks. If you keep track of these patterns, then you will get a better sense of when your baby will be getting sleepy, which helps you be prepared.

3. Control the conditions. Whether your baby naps in a separate room or simply on a sofa or other piece of furniture wherever you are, control the conditions to optimize the quality of sleep and the length of the nap. Make the room bright whenever the baby is awake and feeding or playing, and dim the lights when she shows signs of being ready to nap. In the dimmer light, she will be put down to sleep more easily.

4. Keep noise soft. Parents of newborns typically get used to their babies being able to sleep through practically anything, but after a month or two the pendulum swings the other way. By around three months of age, many babies are liable to wake up at the slightest sound. Obviously, the household should be quiet during nap time. But if you want to be able to go about your business without worrying that every squeak of the floor will wake your child, run some white noise in the background. This will help make other sounds less jarring.

5. Take preemptive action. When a baby moves past sleep and gets into a state of fussy irritability, initiating sleep becomes most difficult. Try to learn to recognize the signs your baby will be ready for a nap, and begin going through the motions before the irritability kicks in. Of course, some babies do not respond well to having a nap time routine (even at so young an age they resist sleep), so you may have to change things up regularly.

6. Be flexible. During the first couple years of your child’s life, you can expect things to change continuously, and the pace of change is extra fast during the early months. So be aware that any nap time strategies that work well today may not work in a couple of days. This can be frustrating for parents, but the key is to experiment with different things as much as possible. You cannot force your baby to sleep, but you can always find ways to make it happen more easily.

7. Take wake-ups in stride. Babies tend to wake up before their naps are over. Sometimes they do it multiple times. For a parent, it is best to have a sense of how much sleep the baby needs, and if she obviously has not finished her full nap, try to help her finish her sleep. Older babies can sometimes get themselves back to sleep, but younger ones often need to be held, rocked, snuggled, or whatever works for your child.

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New Moms: These are the 8 Reasons Your Baby Will Cry

Posted on October 18, 2018

We all know that babies cry, but many soon-to-be parents do not fully realize just how much crying they are going to be dealing with in the first months of the baby’s life. Newborns are helpless to do anything for themselves, and crying is their primary form of communication. It is how they express their wants and needs, and it is how they show that they are uncomfortable. In fact, babies cry for so many different reasons that it can be hard for parents to figure out what to do. At times, it may seem like the baby is crying for no reason at all.

But there is always a reason for a baby’s crying. If it is not one of the most common reasons, then keep moving down this list until you find the solution that helps. After a few months you will hopefully become skilled at recognizing what your baby is asking for. Then, the crying phase will eventually end.

1. Hunger-Hunger is one of the most common reasons why babies cry, and it usually comes with other signs of hunger. For example, you might notice your baby smacking her lips or putting her hands to her mouth. Crying usually starts when a baby feels moderately hungry, and it will intensify as the hunger worsens.

2. Sleepiness When a baby is in a comfortable position, is not hungry, and does not have a dirty diaper, it is usually pretty easy to fall asleep. But when he is tired and being kept from sleep for whatever reason, crying usually results. In many cases, while crying indicates tiredness, it may also mean that something else is wrong. For example, the baby may have an upset stomach, or he may simply crave some attention before going to sleep.

3. Dirty diaper As you can probably imagine, having a dirty diaper is uncomfortable. Babies are used to it and can usually put up with the uncomfortable feeling for a short time, but they almost always start crying after a few minutes. Fortunately, this problem is easy to identify.

4. Colic A colicky baby cries much more than is normal, but no one has figured out the exact causes for this condition. It could have to do with digestion, or it might be due to chemical imbalances in the young one’s developing brain. In any case, if you think your baby is crying more that is normal and often for seemingly no reason, see the doctor to make sure that there are no other more serious conditions.

5. Wants attention Babies crave love and affection even more than the rest of us do. They love the feeling of being cuddled, and they are comforted by the warmth of a parent’s body. If your baby is crying and it does not seem to be because of any of the other common reasons, try holding her close and saying some comforting words. A little love may be all she needs.

6. Stomach problems Babies seem to suffer indigestion more than the rest of us, which may have to do with the fact that their digestive systems are still underdeveloped and have not found their long-term balance. Plus, babies commonly swallow lots of air when they are breastfeeding, drinking from a bottle, or crying, and this can lead to discomfort. Work on your burping technique, and you should be able to take care of many of these issues without much trouble.

7. Too cold or too hot Sometimes crying simply means, “I am uncomfortable.” The most common cause for baby discomfort is too much or too little clothing. Babies generally like to be warm and bundled up, but it is possible to overdo it. Plus, too much clothing and blanketing can inhibit breathing.

8. Boredom Just like the rest of us, babies like to be entertained. It is no fun to just lie around all day and not having anything to look at or to experience. When your baby is crying for seemingly no reason, it could be that he just wants something to entertain him. If you are too busy to be the entertainment right now, try turning on a cartoon or even just playing some music.

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This is When Your Baby Will Start Remembering

Posted on October 18, 2018

Your baby will start recording things in her mind from birth but will not be aware of what is really happening. During the third trimester of your pregnancy your baby will have begun to recognize your voice and at four days old she will be able to distinguish between your face and a stranger’s. It is at this time she will also recognize Dad if he has been present throughout the pregnancy. She will certainly recognize your smell and be comforted by it from birth.

A researcher recently carried out the following experiment. He looked at babies aged two months whilst they were in their cots and awake. He repetitively poked his tongue out at the babies who watched with fascination. Twenty-four hours later he returned to the same babies in their cots and looked at them but this time he did not stick out his tongue. The babies amazingly started to stick their tongues out at him as if to say ‘I remember you! This is what you did!’ This ability in identifying people and things is known as recognition memory and it gets stronger and better as your baby gets older. A newborn baby will recognize her mother’s voice from birth because she will already be familiar with her voice from her time in the womb. A week after birth a breastfed baby will recognize her mother’s smell. A few months after birth your baby will begin to recognize faces that she often sees and may develop a preference for some, usually her mother and father’s as she spends the most time with them.

Between six months and a year, your infant will develop and enhance her recall memory. This is her ability to recollect a specific experience and some of its details for a short time. Once this type of memory begins to develop in your baby she will begin to become more emphatic about what she wants. The things that she will remember first are those which are repeated often and those which hold more importance to her, for example; meal times, play times, bath time and also specific toys that she has become attached to. You will notice that she might start to make actions she has associated with certain toys and she will learn what activity comes after the other because of repetition of the event. When you notice that your baby knows what is coming next it is showing you she remembers what happened last time.

Once your baby is one to two years old she will have begun to remember some words. She will recognize familiar faces like other family members and you will see this in her excitement in seeing them. It is a joy to watch and be surprised by how much she can remember as she grows older.

Conscious, long lasting memory develops when your little one is fourteen to eighteen months old. This is when she starts to remember specific events. At two years of age your child will have the ability to remember facts and events for example, going to the circus or the park with her grandmother. Observing your child grow and develop her memory you will notice how she will begin to link experiences in her past to her current experiences. By recollecting her experiences she will start to have expectations of what will happen in the future.

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Parenting

The Most Confident Adults Grew Up In Families With These 14 Traits

Posted on October 17, 2018

Children who grew up in a family culture that mirrored the culture of innovation, free and exploratory thought are more likely to do well in life. As a parenting expert, a 10+ year parenting blogger and experienced parent myself, I came up with a list of 14 values and circumstances that exist in families and homes that churn out the best successful children and eventual adults:

1. Grew up without much restrictions and structure to their lives perhaps because their family owned a home or a car and they had free reign and places to play and explore.

2. Were not tied to budgets so their play toys included plenty of puzzles, lego blocks, books and other toys to stimulate the mind and encourage free thought and imagination.

3. Went to a school that offered Montessori education or explored different curriculum so they could tailor learning to the individual ways that children learn.

4. Were surrounded by entrepreneurs, professionals and other examples of great success growing up among members of their family and community thus the concept of making it on a whim, a wing and a prayer was not lost on them and they got it and understood.

5. Attended functions and events with family where conversations around them circled and focused on culture, the arts, current events, and other worldly topics so they were exposed to great and bright ideas regularly from the beginning.

6. Were never raised to fear authority or

7. to fear “no” or:

8. to fear rejection;

9. to fear success; or

10. to fear failure.

11. Were never shut down for having a thought or idea or never told to shut up and keep quiet when they had something to contribute

12. Were free to explore and do what they wanted, and money was made available if they wanted to join the Peace Corp or go backpacking in Europe for a year first.

13. Didn’t have parents who told them they cannot and should not sing if they wanted or wander if they wanted.

14. They were free range in thought and physical space.

Children who grow in families where the aforementioned values are nurtured, promoted, elevated and cultivated will be most successful in corporate, entrepreneurial and life in general, in my opinion.

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Parenting

The 4 Moral Compass Mindsets Your Child Must Have

Posted on October 15, 2018

Bellyitch Rewind

With everyone from politicians to rap stars to professional athletes posting their sometimes abrasive and mean-spirited thoughts online, it can be difficult to try and get kids to avoid doing the same thing.

But Rabbi Daniel Cohen, the father of six daughters and the author of “What Will They Say About You When You Are Gone?” provides some tips for parents struggling to find the right way to talk to their children about such issues and ensure their kids are not making mistakes that will come back to bite them later in life.

He says it begins with helping children understand the choices they make every day.

“I’m not referring to choices about the clothes you wear or the food you eat,” says Cohen who serves as the senior Rabbi at Congregation Agudath Sholom in Stamford, Connecticut, the largest modern orthodox synagogue in New England. . “These choices do not represent the essence of who we are or want to be.”

Instead, Cohen says parents can lead by example when they show their children how they try to make meaningful choices every day, which “require reservoirs of strength, faith and clarity.”

Children – and adults – need to think about whether they want to be seen as a giver or a taker, he says.

“Do you want to be remembered for your honesty, authenticity and warmth? These are the moral choices confronting us every day whether in private or in public,” says Cohen, who also co-hosts with Reverend Greg Doll the nationally syndicated radio show “The Rabbi and the Reverend” Sunday mornings at 11 AM and evenings at 9 PM.

That may translate into things such as getting back to someone when we’ve promised them an answer; seizing the chance to help when asked; not posting ugly comments online or simply smiling more. Those are the things that best teach our children how to live a meaningful life, he says.

For parents looking for ways to help their children develop more positive mindsets and actions and avoid doing things that might hurt their reputations later in life, Cohen suggests:

Developing the “good habit” muscle. Ask children about how they behave when no one is looking. Do they listen to their “inner voice” or do they ignore it and do something they’re not supposed to do, such as posting a snarky Facebook comment about someone else? Cohen says children need to be encouraged to listen to that inner voice, because that’s when courageous choices happen. If they don’t listen, then they “become inured to follow what feels good as opposed to what is good,” he says.
Bolstering self-confidence. Talk with kids about the choices they’ve made in the past week that made them feel good inside. What helped them make those choices? Are there lessons to learn from those things to help them in the future? “When you’re confronted with a moment of indecision, with only a split second to decide whether to listen to your inner voice, you’ll follow what you’re conditioned to do. One good choice energizes another,” he says.
Looking for motivators. Children often are bombarded today with the opinions and thoughts of celebrities and public figures who may or may not behave appropriately. Parents need to talk to their children about who they look up to and why. Who motivates them to be their best? Is it some music star or is it perhaps a grandparent or sibling? Do they keep this person in mind when they make their choices?
Helping them to celebrate small victories. Parents can help their children understand that each new day provides a new opportunity. To be generous and not greedy. To be honest and not deceitful. To be selfless and not self-serving. “Each morning,” he says, “we’re blessed with an opportunity to choose life and get back on the road to success.”

Parents, Cohen says, can use these moments to also energize their own commitment to being better in both the big moments and the small ones.

“At every moment of our lives, whether young or old, we’re called up to be our very best. We’re charged with living life with passion and purpose. The world is watching,” Cohen says. “If we choose courageously and optimize our opportunities, we’ll know that we gave of our gifts and touched the world.”

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10 Ways Fit Moms Squeeze in Exercise

Posted on October 14, 2018

Squeezing in a work out when you have children and a schedule that’s already overloaded isn’t easy. In addition, exercise may conjure up negative feelings because for some it implies long, strenuous hours in a musky gym. However, staying active is imperative to your physical, mental and emotional well-being, so finding convenient ways to sneak exercise into your daily routine is a must.

Make Yourself a Priority – To be the best parent you can be, you have to make sure you take care of yourself, too. This means keeping your physical and mental health a priority. Setting aside time for yourself each day, even if it’s only 20 minutes, is a way of getting into a routine that will allow you to spend a little time on yourself.
Just Breathe – Studies conducted by the Division of Internal Medicine at Aoyama Clinic in Niigata, Japan on the Senobi breathing technique and a 2006 American Heart Association-published study on pranayama yoga breathing exercises indicated that the way you breathe can affect your overall health and fitness. If you don’t have the time for a full work out, exploring these breathing techniques may be a helpful alternative.
When in Doubt, Stretch it Out – If you’ve missed your window of making it to the gym, spending just 10 minutes on the floor stretching each evening before crawling into bed or first thing in the morning before you start your day is a way of keeping limber and increasing your range of motion.
Play Dates Aren’t Just for the Kids – Set up play dates with other parents looking to incorporate exercise while supervising their little ones for the support and accountability of a dedicated work-out group. Brisk walks around the playground or jogging with the kids in strollers are options to buddy-up and stay motivated with other parents or your spouse.
Baby Weight – Who said that lifting weights had to include heavy barbells and awkward gym equipment? Some post-natal yoga classes are even designed to incorporate your child as resistance weight. Try doing lunges across the front yard while carrying baby in your arms or doing a few exercises of your own during baby’s tummy time.
Sleep it Off – In order to optimize the benefits of any exercise routine, you need to get plenty of rest. Find a routine that doesn’t leave you completely drained of energy or interfere with your parenting, but understand that sometimes it’s important to skip a work out and simply rest when you’re feeling exhausted.
No Sweat – Sweating brings fresh, oxygenated blood to tissues and organs and helps rid the body of toxins. It’s also a sign of the body working, but you don’t have to spend hours on a treadmill to break a sweat. Incorporate exercise into your daily activities. Have a dance party with your kids in the living room. Jog alongside your kids when they go for a bike ride. When possible, park farther away at the store and by-pass the elevator for the stairs. These kinds of minor changes add up and over time you will start to notice these tasks becoming easier and easier.
Mutual Investments – If running or walking is your favorite type of exercise, invest in a well-built stroller made to accommodate these kinds of activities. This will optimize your efforts and minimize your frustration when you’re on the go. Or, make it a family affair and purchase a video game console that offers games that use physical activities, such as dancing, as a way to connect with your kids and also get in a sweat session.
Sharing is Caring – Take advantage of your gym membership. Many gyms today have on-site day care services so that moms and dads can take a break from parenting and get in a work-out. If you’re not a member of a gym, you might opt for finding parents that are willing to work out a schedule so each of you has time to get out and exercise.
Stay Motivated – Keeping motivated is an issue for most, whether there are children involved or not. Making an effort to find things that motivate you can help you accomplish your goals. Music you groove to, gym classes you enjoy and people who inspire you are all great ways to keep you motivated. If you aren’t getting pleasure in what you’re doing or who you’re with, it is likely you will give up or quit. Instead, set goals and find inspiration to keep you going.

Truth be told, fitting exercise into your schedule when you have children all comes down to convenience and sustainability. If it’s not convenient, you’re not likely to continue with a particular regimen. Find an exercise program that fits your lifestyle and daily needs as a parent. Stay positive and don’t beat yourself up for missing a work out here and there. It’s possible to be a good parent and keep a fit lifestyle; you just have to find the right balance.

Photo: Bumbleride

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More Tips for Picking the Right Pediatrician For Your Child

Posted on October 9, 2018

Here are some more tips about selecting a Pediatrician:

You want your baby to have the best care. Selecting the right pediatrician will be a lot more challenging than finding a maternity specialist. Whomever you select will be the one caring for your child’s health up to their pre-teens.

Some may advise you to build a list of pediatricians sometime between 28 to 34 weeks into your pregnancy. This is just a first step. It’s important to find a doctor you’re comfortable with for the first six months so your baby will get the important health tests they need. Here are a few tips to help you narrow down your search for a pediatrician.

Schedule Interviews

There are local pediatric offices that hold “open house” events for new parents. Otherwise, you can schedule an appointment to meet with a doctor for your own job interview.

Among some of the questions you ask your candidates, try to include three important ones. Ask if they are parents themselves. How do they feel about breastfeeding or circumcision procedures? Most importantly, what are their stances on vaccinations? The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) have strong rules about physicians recommending vaccinations for young children. Listen to their opinions of each of these topics and judge how you wish to proceed.

Check Credentials

Never assume a pediatrician is certified because there’s an “MD” after their name. Verifying their credential is one way of assuring you of this doctor’s experience.

All pediatricians must have a valid medical school degree and served three years of residency at a hospital, urgent care clinic, or group practice. Members of the AAP are committed to the organization’s standards and codes of conduct. The letters, “FAAP,” stand for Fellows of the American Academy of Pediatrics and indicate the doctor was board certified for this high honor. These titles can be found in directories for most local credentialing services.

The Office Environment

A good first impression can go a long way for selecting a professional. You might not meet the doctor right away, but you’ll meet their office staff first.

When you walk up to the front desk, gauge how the receptionist treats you. Are they friendly, understanding, helpful, or dismissive? Next stop, the waiting room. Is it a clean, safe environment that is accommodating to both child and parent? Another thing to measure is the volume of patients. Keep score of the wait times. Longer waits could be better than shorter ones if it means the doctor is giving a serious case proper consideration.

Interaction

The biggest determination is how the pediatrician works with your child. Pediatricians go into this field because they want to work with children. Parents form lasting bonds with their pediatrician because they trust their advice.

Good communication is beneficial for a developing child. There should be no barriers, be they emotional or professional. What if you had an emergency and needed to get in touch with them? Ask them how they would feel if they needed a second opinion. Ensure your parenting style matches their own.

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Tips for Picking the Right Pediatrician

Posted on October 6, 2018

Once your baby arrives, it’s not the end of frequent trips to the doctor, it’s the beginning. While you no longer have to check on the health of your unborn child, you will be picking up the phone to call the doctor’s office every time your baby has a sniffle, takes a fall, or cries more than usual.

As a result, it is important to have chosen a pediatrician before your little one arrives.

Aside from looking for reassurance for all your health concerns, there are also the well-baby exams and the vaccination schedule that will have you seeing your baby’s doctor more than you thought you’d see any doctor in a single year.

The Baby Center provides a list of exam checklists that you can print off to either prepare yourself for each visit.

After you have received the initial exam following birth, which usually occurs 2 to 3 days after birth, the US National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health recommend visits for preventative care at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, 6, months, 9 months and 12 months for the first year.

For all of these reasons, you want to make sure your pediatrician is someone that makes you feel comfortable.

Here are some tips for finding the right doctor for your child

Choose in Advance

Don’t wait until your baby arrives before you try to choose your pediatrician. The hospital where you deliver will ask for your child’s doctor name, and if that doctor has privileges at that hospital, he or she will do the first evaluation of your child.

Otherwise, one of the hospital pediatricians will do the first evaluation of your newborn.

Regardless of who does your hospital evaluation, your baby’s first follow-up visit is usually within the first few days of being released from the hospital.

As a result, the start of the third trimester is a good time to start researching who you should choose to care for the health of your new addition

Get References

Check with your friends and family members with young children. Ask them what they think of their pediatrician. You can also ask your obstetrician for recommendations.

Usually, they have a list of pediatricians that their patients use and have recommended.

Good luck!

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Parenting

Schedule Interviews

Check Credentials

The Office Environment

Interaction